Carrera Gradient. Any info?

[alexp5]

Hi all.
First post on here after a long time lurking.

I've been offered a Carrera Gradient for the sum of £50 (negotiable!) by a friend. It's been owned by him from new and it's seen very little action by the look of it. All original apart from the rear tyre (had to be replaced due to the sidewalls perishing).
I can't find much info at all about them, I'm guessing it's early/mid nineties? It's mainly silver with a purple fade, low-end Shimano spec (I spotted an Altus rear mech) but has decals stating the frame is 'Handbuilt Cr-Mo'... by an apprentice tig-monkey by the looks of it

Any ideas people?

Cheers. Alex.

 

[djoptix]

Hmm. I would say £50 is a bit steep to be honest. There are very definitely good Carreras and bad Carreras. I love the Reynolds road frames. I like their thin tubed MTBs, like my Flex Quest. The Optima looks good to me too. That/your one; at a guess you're right, it will be from the mid-late 90s when they started oversizing their tubing (but without making it any thinner), cheapening components and generally increasing the profit margins. It's not the worst Carrera, but not the best either. Low spec group confirms this.

I think nearer £30 is probably reasonable, and then only if you're going to ride it. You won't fix it up and make any money. But if you want a ride-every-day, unstealable bike, then it will be fine. And I will spread some Carrera love by saying that it will probably ride OK, certainly better than anything under £300 from Tesco, Argos or Halfrauds.

If you're dipping a toe into the retro world and want something trendy, the other guys on here will be along soon to suggest Konas...

Oh, and welcome! Good to have you on board!

 

[mikee]

depends on the groupset , some carreras had good kit fitted and weren't bad
bikes , not familiar with the gradient tho

£30 is worth a try ,remember a pair of tyres and tubes will set you back that
so it could be a cheap way onto the slippy slope that is retrobike

welcome btw
the for sale sections just down there v

 

[alexp5]

Thanks for the replies.

I see there is a lot of lurve for Carrera's on here
My present 'muddy' bike is a Carrera Kraken and is light years away from the Carrera's of old - is it just the tie-up with Halfwits or were they really that bad?

TBF, I was interested in it purely for cycling to work on, and the odd bimble about with the Mrs. It's in seriously good shape and wants for nothing, all I would do is fit slicks and mudguards, oh... and probably remove the decals

 

[djoptix]

AFAIK they started quite good, then went awful, now they're OK again.

 

[Bob]

Ello, thought i'd chip in on this one... The Gradient was the bottom of the range in '96 i had one new then and absolutely loved and rode it in to the ground, about 6 months ago i spotted one for sale in the local classifieds and grabbed it, nearly new condition for £35! .. to be honest though if it had of been £50 i'd have still bought it but it's a sentimental thing for me

 

[gerryattrick]

Re:

Our LBS is selling a great condition early Gradient (apart from splitting tyres) for £75.

If yours is in good condition then £50, or less if you can work it, will buy you a nice bike that will last for years.